CHARRED books in a burnt out Clent phone box is all that remains of a popular community library following an arson attack.

Dedicated members of the Clent History Society spent hours transforming the red phone box into a facility for local bookworms to enjoy but in July, their hard work went up in flames.

The culprit, who was captured on a grainy CCTV image, is yet to be identified but residents are determined not to beaten by the mindless vandalism and have started a fundraising campaign to pay for repairs.

The society purchased the phone box on Bromsgrove Road from BT in 2012 for just £1.

Society chairman Paul Timmins, who is a painter and decorator by trade, restored the box to its former glory and painted a Union Jack on the roof to mark the Queen's diamond jubilee.

The decision was then made to turn it into a community library and it was kitted it out with shelves and around 100 books.

Mr Timmins said villagers embraced the facility: "We had a good range of people using it, it was very popular with children in the summer holiday but of course they missed out on it this year."

He has vowed to restore the phone box following the arson attack and is appealing for donations of £1,000 to help with material costs.

He said: "I'd like to have it ready to open in the spring. The response from people has been brilliant so far, it's a talking point in the village."

Anyone who would like to donate, can make a cheque out to the Clent History Society and sent to Yew Tree Cottage, Bromsgrove Road, Holy Cross, Clent, DY9 9QF.

Any cash left over will be spent on maintenance.